Easter Celebration

With Easter being a huge celebration for my family and church, I was a little sad when I first came here knowing I would miss celebrating it back home.  Easter is the day we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.  I believe that Jesus is God incarnate, who lived a perfect and holy life, and who was wrongfully murdered on the cross.  However, everything was done in order to fulfill Scripture.  By Jesus being sacrificed, his pure blood cleanses us, allowing us to be in union with our Heavenly Father.  His omnipotence is truly demonstrated in that the grave could not hold him and he resurrected on the third day.

Back at home, the night before, we would decorate eggs and my mom would prepare a delicious meal for the next day.  Usually she made lamb, and on Easter Sunday we would go to church together.  The church would be beautifully decorated with flowers and the program would be filled with singing and preaching. Watching the children's program would always be a blessing because the children are so adorable and excited to go on an Easter Egg Hunt after the service.

Although I did miss this, celebrating Easter on Mercy Ships was completely amazing to participate in.  On Thursday, different stations/rooms were decorated to resemble different portions of the crucifixion narrative.  For example, I actually helped decorate a room that mimicked the Upper Room, where Jesus had the first communion with his disciples.  

Helping set up the "Upper Room"

More decor for the "Upper Room".

Sunday was definitely my favorite day during the Easter Celebration.  At 5:30 a.m., we had a service on Deck 7 where we watched the sunrise and sang songs together.   Watching the beautiful colors in the sky as the sun came up created such a peaceful atmosphere.  Afterward, we went to the café and had a few snacks and coffee.  At 10a.m., we had another service in the international lounge, where we read Acts 2:22-32 and Matthew 28:1-8, watched a liturgical dance, and listed to a Children’s Choirs, Adult Bell Choir, and a vocal solo.  During the service, people of all different nations when up to the front to state “Christ has risen” in their native language.  Of course I went up to say “Cristos a-nviat”.  I believe that in our service there were over 20 languages in which it was stated!  Then, we had a huge Easter brunch. YUM!  The team did an amazing job decorating our dining hall with fresh flower from the local market and making a cheese and fruit stand.  The brunch included the most delicious food such as mashed potatoes, stuffed eggs, ham, and a wide range of desserts! 

Such a gorgeous sight.

Children's Choir

Simply beautiful.

Easter decorations.

Preparing the fruit and cheese stand.

Yum :)

I am very grateful to have spent this very unique Easter with Mercy Ships.  What a joy to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with so many people from different cultures, customs, and denominations.

On Deck 7.

Be Blessed!

Mark 16:6

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid him.” 

Mercy Vision, Togo Smiles, HOPE Center

I apologize for the delay in blogs. There is a lot to do everyday, and by the end of the day I am usually exhausted.  Sometimes when I think back on my day, there are so many incredible people that I’ve met and so many blessings that I do not even know where to start.  I will back track first with April 10, when I went to several field services. 

Field services are off-ship services (medical and non-medical) that Mercy Ships provides.  First, we stopped at the vision clinic, which is called Mercy Vision.  The clinic aims to reduce blindness and low vision by performing surgeries, distributing eyeglasses, and/or teaching basic eye health education. So far from January 5 – March 31, they have performed 365 cataract surgeries and 49 pterygium surgeries.  It was a screening day the day we went to the clinic.  I believe they do 1 screening day a week.  Majority of the patients have lost their vision due to cataracts and decreased eye health due to old age, but sometimes even children can get cataracts (I have no idea how this happens).  Because we are so limited in resources and tools, the criteria for being eligible for surgery is very strict, so that we can provide aid to the worst of the worst cases.  For example, an adult must have a cataract in both eyes, causing blindness or near blindness. 

Screening Day at Mercy Vision.

 Lenses 

The second place we stopped was Togo Smiles, the dental clinic.  The clinic has two screening days per week.  As of March 31, Togo Smiles performed 4,327 procedures dealing with tooth decay and infections a.k.a cavities in Lomé.  The dentist explained that most people have never gone to the dentist before since they cannot afford oral care.  Therefore, when they get a cavity, it is usually left untreated causing a complicated infection.  The dental clinic also offers health education to the patients to hopefully prevent future dental problems. 

Patients waiting to see a dentist at Togo Smiles.

That little girl came with a relative.  She was so adorable :)

I had to take a picture with all the tools!

Oral health education.

Finally the last stop was my favorite, the HOPE Center, which I just learned stands for “Hospital Out Patient Extension”.  I looked for Mokpokbo, but she was at the hospital on the ship getting her dressings changed.   However, I did see many patients that are awaiting their surgery on the ship.  As of March 31, the hospital has performed 122 maxillofacial surgeries and 66 plastic reconstructive surgeries along with 378 physical and occupational therapy services.

Several woman at the HOPE Center.

Lunch being prepared for the patients at the HOPE Center. 

The amazing thing about all these outreaches is that everything is free for the patients.  From the medical care, to providing food and board for the patients before and after surgery, to the education offered, everything is completely free.  The blind can see, the lame can walk.  These really are miracles happening around us :)

Be Blessed!

Surgeries and Health Care

Preach the Gospel always. Use words when necessary. 

                        -Francis of Assisi

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

First Time at the Hope Center

I went to the Hope Center for the first time a few days ago.  The Hope Center is off ship, and it is the place where the patients go before and after surgery.  Patients sometimes travel a great distance to receive care from Mercy Ships, so while they are here they are able to stay at the Hope Center, and after their surgery they are able to recover here.  Crew members are able to go there everyday and they have designated times throughout the week were you can go as a group.  I went with a small group to have a short children's event.  We read them a story, did an art and craft, sang some songs, and then played some games.  Everything gets translated into French for the kids. 

I want to eat him!

Futbol always fun no matter where you are.

He is pretty concentrated.

The kids loved blowing bubbles.  They were so cute chasing the bubbles too.

I met a very beautiful and amazing 8 year old girl.  She was all smiles the second she came out of the door to meet us.   Her name is Mokpokbo, which means Hope.  Prior to surgery, she either had a bad burn on her arms or she had an infection because her arms were bandaged up.  I could tell it was very bad because I could still see heavy blistering at the edges of the bandages.  Even though her arms had the bandages, she was carrying a two month old boy in her arms.  I don't think it was her brother.  He was  there waiting for a surgery to correct his deformed foot .   Meeting this little girl has been the biggest blessing for me so far.  She gave me so many hugs, smiles, and giggles.  We played many games together and she taught me the colors in French.  I told her she was "mon professeur de français" (that might be written wrong).  Mokpokbo is very special to me because her hugs were so kind and genuine that they really reminded me of home.  This was really the first time here that I felt home so close to me.

Mokpokbo with Roxanne.

As I left the ship, I really thought about how amazing this girl is.  Even though she had bandages on her arm and had pain from blistering, she still came walking in with smiles and used her arms to bring the little boy to meet us.  I thought about how excited she was and full of joy.  It made me realize how even through her arms were in pain, she had still had used them to bless others and be a joy for those around her.  It is strange how sometimes we find it too hard for us to stretch our healthy arms out to someone and help them, and yet here was this little girl using even her injured arms to bless those around her.  How much more does this apply on a spiritual level?  Sometimes when we have an ailment, we just complain and become frustrated and angered.  In those times, the last thing on our mind is how to use our pain and suffering to be an encouragement for others.  I pray that I can take the example of Mokpokbo and use even those stressful and challenging times to shine and be a blessing to the people around me :)

The ladies there wanted to braid my hair.
They only did two braids, but next time I'm going all out :)

Be Blessed!

Also, a little unfortunate news /prayer request.  I went to the market yesterday where I was pick pocketed and got my camera stolen L.   They are quite experts here because my purse had a flap and a zipper.  It is very ironic that I just wrote about frustrating times because this really had me discouraged.  Objects are objects though.  I just pray that I can possibly get a disposable camera while I am here, so I can still take pictures and have those memories.  The good news is that 1. pretty much everyone here brought a camera and many people said they can take pictures with me when we go places and 2. I had uploaded almost all the pictures I took so far, but I did lose the ones I took at the Hope Center.  Anyway, please continue to keep me in your prayers J

Colossians 3:16

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hears.

Greetings from Togo!

Bonjour!

I arrived in Togo last night :) I had a very safe journey, so thank you to all who prayed.  It is about 80 degrees here and very humid.  I did not realize how tired I was until they asked me to fill out some paperwork last night, which I kept filling out wrong such as writing myself as the emergency contact. Hehe.

Train to downtown Brussels

Anyway, I traveled from SF to NYC to Brussels, Belgium, then finally to Togo.  I 
had a 6 hour layover in Brussels, Belgium, 
so I decided to go out and explore the city.  Belgium is beautiful!  I took a 2 hour tour bus ride there.  I had only brought clothes for the hot weather in Togo, so I put on the warmest clothes I had (a sweatshirt and thin jacket), but I was still cold because it was about 40 degrees there.  I was shivering on the tour bus, but it was worth every little shiver :)

        

Such a beautiful city. 

YUM! 

Togo reminds me very much of certain cities in Mexico.  I arrived here at 11 pm, and the people were still out and about.  I met part of my cabin mates last night and the rest today.  There are 8 other young ladies I am staying with, and they are very sweet and kind.  My cabin on the ship is small, but very nice.  There are two windows in my cabin and it definitely was beautiful to look out the window in the morning and just admire the sea and the sun. There are people here volunteering from everywhere.  I met some people from Canada, Holland, Germany, and there is a person here from Ukraine.  It is actually a small world that we live in.

Today was a very exciting day because in the morning, one of my cabin mates asked me if I wanted to go to the market with her and two other girls because she had to pick up a skirt.  The market was busy, and they sold so many unique things. The seamstresses make dresses there from scratch.  Actually, every item you buy here is pretty much made from scratch by the people working in the shop.  For example, the cloth is made then hand dyed with designs then cut out and then sown.  The people are very friendly, but since I do not know French, it’s harder for me to communicate.  However, nothing builds a relationship like a warm smile :)

Lydia shopping for shoes at the market.

Lome, Togo

When I came back from the market, I had an orientation and a tour of the ship.  Like I mentioned, today was very exciting, but also very busy.  Hopefully, I will get internet directly to my computer this Friday, so that I can post some pictures. 

Be Blessed!

This verse was written on the wall by the window J

Proverbs 31:8-9

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly;

Defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Bon Vonyage!

I cannot believe how fast time passes.  Ironically, time is one of the most consistent things in our lives.  Yet, sometimes we find it to be "flying" while other times it "stands still".  For me right now, time is flying because there are only 5 hours until I leave to Togo!  I am a bit anxious, but I have peace in my heart.  This peace comes from realizing that no matter where I go, as long as I am following God's Word, He will be with me.

This particular thought is on my mind because of a woman from church who came up to me, hugged me, and told me to never forget that "Dumnezeu este cu tine" (God is with you).  She said to never fear or doubt God because He will be with me.  We tend to create so many unnecessary and unhealthy fears in our life.  Generally, the root of our fears is the unknown, more specifically the way we perceive the unknown.  Think about it.  Any future plans/unknowns you are worried about? Jobs? Family? Money? I could go on and on.  These fears and worries stem from not knowing what will happen.  However, our reaction to the unknown defines our belief and behavior.  If we have unknowns which cause fear and worry we are actually saying that we have a powerless and unloving God whom we cannot trust.  If we have unknowns and remember that God is with us, we are revived, strengthened, and have peace.

Leaving SF! Good bye home!

For me, a huge unknown begins in 5 hours, where I will encounter new countries, cultures, languages, religions and food :)  I have peace in my heart though because of what I know to be true; that is that I serve the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty, All-powerful, All-Knowing, and loving God.  Why should I worry or fear? There is no reason to fear because He has overcome the world, and He has promised to be with his children.  Thank you Jesus!

So as you go throughout your day today, keep your head up and remember God is with you when you follow His ways, and you are victorious because of Him!  

Alright, time for some sleep or nap, whichever one it technically is at this point :) Au revoir...

Be Blessed!

Isaiah 41:12

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.